Accused Aussie drug mule wants taxpayer help

CASSIE Sainsbury's legal team is asking Australian taxpayers to help pay for her defence on drug smuggling charges.

The Bogota lawyer for the 22-year-old South Australian told News Corp Australia he and Sainsbury filled out paperwork to apply for the financial assistance last Wednesday.

"When I saw her she signed documents for her lawyer in Australia. They are looking for state funds in Australia for the legal costs, so she was signing a form for that, to put before the government there," Orlando Herran said in Bogota.

"I have no idea how much they are looking for. It is to cover the lawyer's fees in Australia."

When asked if the funding would also cover his fees, Mr Herran said: "Possibly".

Meanwhile, only $4232 has been raised towards a $15,000 goal on a fundraising page set up by Cassie Sainsbury's sister Khala.

"Cassie would never do anything like what she has been accused off. Anyone that knows her, would say she is a kind, loving, happy kind of girl,'' Khala wrote.

"Now because of being denied bail, she is now being held at Colombian biggest women's prison, which is over populated by about 50,000 people.

"Cassie is possibly facing 20-25 yrs in prison for a crime she did not commit. Our hearts break, because we know she is innocent, but stands little chance of proving it in such a corrupt country.

"We are currently facing expensive legal fees, and trying to support Cassie as much as we can, but is hard as we have little money.

"Cassie was planning her upcoming wedding to the love if her life, she has her full life ahead of her, and now its all put on the line because of this.

"We miss her so much, and since we have very little contact with her its very hard. We just want her home safe and sound where she belongs. So of you can help in anyway it would be greatly appreciated."

The fundraising campaign ended a week ago without reaching its target.